Tube scaling device



United States Patent 3,331,114 TUBE SCALING DEVICE Edward P. Neufelder,207 W. Vine St., Fort Branch, Ind. 47533 Filed Aug. 4, 1965, Ser. No. 477,235 3 Claims. (Cl. 29-81) The present invention relates to a tube scaling device, and more particularly to a new and novel scaling device for tubing or the like which has readily adjustable cutting blades, as well as adaptability for effective use with a conventional rotatable power source.

As is known, the build-up of mineral deposits or scale in refrigeration systems, particularly within the tubing forming the condenser portion, is quite prevalent, as is also the instance in other type fluid carrying installations. Heretofore, various approaches have been attempted for accomplishing scaling action to make the systems have optimum performance, but these were cumbersome, expensive, time-consuming, and even, in some instances, required the replacement of the tubing.

By virtue of the present invention, the applicant herein has provided a new and novel scaling device for tubing or the like which effectively accomplishes the desired scaling action, being readily adaptable for use through an important control arrangement for the cutting blades forming part thereof. Actually, a variety of different diameter tubing may be scaled, where a control pin establishes the cutting angle of each of the blades, and where a set screw is provided to lock the control screw in such desired position. The invention at hand is readily adaptable for use with a conventional rotatable power source, such as a known electric drill, and represents a minimum of components, lending themselves to ready assembly at an economical advantage to the manufacturer and consumer.

Accordingly, a principal object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel tube scaling device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel scaling device for tubes, pipes or the like where the cutting blades thereof are each effectively and positively set at any desired cutting angle.

A further and more general object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel tube scaling device which is readily adjustable for use in a preselected range of inner tube diameters, which involves a minimum number of operative components,` which lends itself to simple manufacturing procedures, and which is highly effective in use in association with any conventional rotatable power source.

Other objects and a better understanding of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. l is a View in Vertical section, taken at line 1-1 of FIG. 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows, showing a tube scaling device in accordance with the teachings of the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view, looking at the power adapter end of the scaling device of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the opposite end of the scaling device of FIG. 2, with the bott-om plate and fastening means removed for clarity, taken at line 3 3 of FIG. 1.

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawing and specic language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Referring now to the figures, the applicants new and novel tube scaling device 10 comprises an elongated body member 11, typically a one-piece structure, having a series of longitudinally extending grooves 11a therealong, as should be particularly evident from FIG. 2. The elongated body member 11 preferably has Hat surface portions llb between the longitudinal grooves 11a to provide a space through which the cuttings may pass during scaling operation.

The longitudinal grooves 11a are provided to receive cutting blades 14, where any number of such cutting blades blades 14 may be provided depending upon the size and application of the scaling device 10. As should be particularly apparent from FIG. 1, each of the cutting blades 14 is interchangeable, being defined as having elongated relatively narrow projecting ends 14a and 14a', cutting point portions 14h and 14b, and a relatively long central cutting portion 14e extending between the respective cutting points 1411 and 14b.

As should be further evident from FIG. 1, the elongated projecting end 14a of each cutting blade 14 is received beneath a collar 15 at the drive end of the device, where the power driver, shown by broken fragmentary lines,` typically serves to retain such collar 15 in an operative position.

Looking now at the other or free end of the scaling device 10, and particularly as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the bottom portion of each of the longitudinal grooves 11a in the elongated body member 11 has a threaded opening extending into the central portion thereof at a position proximate the lower end of the scaling device, such threaded openings each being adapted to receive a control screw 17. Extending at right angles to each control screw 17, and from the end of the device, is another threaded opening Iadapted to receive a set screw 19 which bears against the control screw 17.

As will become apparent from the following description, the control screw 17 defines the position or cutting angle of each cutting blade 14, i.e., where as the control screw 17 extends further from the bottom portion of the longitudinal groove 11a, the cutting blade 14 angles outwardly more, and conversely. The set screw 19 then xes the desired position of each cutting blade 14.

The assembly is completed through the use of another collar 21 which extends about the projecting end 14a' of each cutting blade 14, and a base member or plate 24 typically having a screw-type fastening means 26 which secures such base plate 24 into operative engagement with the free end of the elongated body member 11.

In use, and while it should be understood that the angular deviation provided by the control screw 17 has been enlarged for clarity, fine incremental control is achieved in any scaling operation in the order of even extremely small fractions of an inch. In any event, after the dimensioning of the tube to be scaled is known, the cutting blades 14 are each adjusted and set through the control screw 17 and the set screw 19 to the desired cutting angle, and the scaling device, being associated with a rotatable power driver, is ready for operation. It should be noted that during a cutting operation, the tube scaling device 10 is inserted into the scaled tubing, and caused t-o rotate, with highly effective cutting being readily achieved. It might be mentioned that the portion of the cutting blades in the area of the cutting tips 141; and 14b may be heat treated for additional strength and durability. As mentioned hereabove, the scrapings of scale readily drop between the flat surface portions 11b of the elongated body member 11 and the inner wall of the tubing being cleaned, into, for example, a cleaning L3 pit, in the instance of a typical commercial refrigeration installation.

From the preceding, it should be understood that the applicant herein has provided a new and novel tube scaling -device which is effective in use, which employs cutting blades which are interchangeable, which permits ready and positive positioning of each cutting blade for the scaling operation, and which represents an ease in manufacturing and ready adaptation to an existing type of rotatable power tool. The scaling device is, of course, susceptible to various changes Within the spirit of the invention. For example, the device may be enlarged or reproportioned with equally effective results. Thus, the above description should be considere-d illustrative, and not as limiting the scope of `the following claims.

I claim:

1. A tube scaling device comprising an elongated body member adapted to be inserted Within a tube, a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves in said elongated body member, a cutting blade received in each of said grooves having opposite ends separated into both cutting portions and retaining portions, a collar at one end of said body member beneath which one of said retaining portions of each cutting blade extends, another collar at the opposite end of said elongated body member beneath which the retaining portion at the opposite end of each cutting blade extends, a control screw disposed in each of said grooves in the region of said another collar and adjustably extending outwardly into Contact with a cutting blade, means setting said control screw at any desired adjustment position, and means at the end of said elongated body member retaining said another collar in position.

2. The tube scaling device of claim 1 Where said retaining means is a plate and threaded fastener member.

3. The tube scaling device of claim 1 where said `elongated body member has a attened surface between each of said grooves.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 330,508 ll/1885 Neale 77-75 1,355,726 10/1920 Zlatnik 15-l04.l5 1,378,339 5/1921 Emory 77-75 1,389,519 8/1921 Lenhart 77-75 2,005,359 6/1935 Bagnoli et al. l5-l04.09 2,366,131 12/1944 Spaulding l5-l04.09 3,202,433 8/1965 Davis 287-5208 WALTER A. SCHEEL, Primary Examiner. 

1. A TUBE SCALING DEVICE COMPRISING AN ELONGAGTED BODY MEMBER ADAPTED TO BE INSERTED WITHIN A TUBE, A PLURALITY OF LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING GROOOVES IN SAID ELONGATED BODY MEMBER, A CUTTING BLADE RECEIVED IN EACH OF SAID GROOVES HAVING OPPOSITE ENDS SEPARATES INTO BOTH CUTTING PORTIONS AND RETAINING PORTIONS, A COLLAR AT ONE END OF SAID BODY MEMBER BENEATH WHICH ONE OF SAID RETAINING PORTIONS OF EACH CUTTING BLADE EXTENDS, ANOTHER COLLAR AT THE OPPOSITE END OF SAID ELONGATED BODY MEMBER BENEATH WHICH THE RETAINING PORTION AT THE OPPOSITE END OF EACH CUTTING BLADE EXTENDS, A CONTROL SCREW DISPOSED IN EACH OF SAID GROOVES IN THE REGION OF SAID ANOTHER COLLAR AND 